Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

11. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current overseas missions in which the Defence Forces are involved; if any of these missions will conclude in 2014; if there are plans for any new deployments; if any requests have been received for such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5570/14]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

34. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of overseas missions that currently involve military personnel; the number of these under the auspices of the UN; the location of each mission; the number of these that involve the EU or NATO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150. To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of members of the Defence Forces that have served overseas over the years; the extent to which such service is planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5975/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

156. To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which further overseas, EU or UN associated troop deployments are likely to emerge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5981/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 34, 150 and 156 together.

As of 01 February 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 409 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. Details of the average monthly deployments overseas in the past five years are contained in the attached schedule.

The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 206 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 117 Defence Forces personnel. Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia with seven (7) personnel; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel. Four (4) personnel were deployed in August 2013 for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan. Ireland also contributes 26 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and 15 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

Defence Forces participation in all overseas missions is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently underway and the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel will be coordinated in this context. It is anticipated that Irish personnel will complete their service with the mission in September 2014.

As regards future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered. Apart from the recent deployment of personnel to the UNDOF mission, no new deployments are envisaged at this time. The current contribution of some 409 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS AS OF 01 February 2014